Primo Levi (1919–1987) has become an iconic figure at the intersection of chemistry and culture. Levi has long been praised for his autobiographical account as survivor in Auschwitz and by his literary masterpiece “The Periodic Table.” Little is however known beyond such facts, especially his academic period and early research on stereochemistry at the University of Turin, which were abruptly truncated by the racial laws and WWII. Even if, later on, Primo Levi succeeded as industrial chemist, he had a vivid interest in molecular asymmetry that lasted through his entire life. This concise paper highlights a little known academic period in the midst of social and political upheaval. Levi left us his humanity in an otherwise tortuous life, and his literature took inspiration from chemistry; perhaps as a metaphor connecting the physical world and people's life.
Primo Levi: A frustrated stereochemist?—Insight in hindsight
Cravotto G.First
;
2021-01-01
Abstract
Primo Levi (1919–1987) has become an iconic figure at the intersection of chemistry and culture. Levi has long been praised for his autobiographical account as survivor in Auschwitz and by his literary masterpiece “The Periodic Table.” Little is however known beyond such facts, especially his academic period and early research on stereochemistry at the University of Turin, which were abruptly truncated by the racial laws and WWII. Even if, later on, Primo Levi succeeded as industrial chemist, he had a vivid interest in molecular asymmetry that lasted through his entire life. This concise paper highlights a little known academic period in the midst of social and political upheaval. Levi left us his humanity in an otherwise tortuous life, and his literature took inspiration from chemistry; perhaps as a metaphor connecting the physical world and people's life.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
CHIR-2021.docx
Accesso riservato
Tipo di file:
POSTPRINT (VERSIONE FINALE DELL’AUTORE)
Dimensione
7.74 MB
Formato
Microsoft Word XML
|
7.74 MB | Microsoft Word XML | Visualizza/Apri Richiedi una copia |
CHIR-2021.pdf
Accesso aperto
Tipo di file:
POSTPRINT (VERSIONE FINALE DELL’AUTORE)
Dimensione
534.04 kB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
534.04 kB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.